The Aberdeen-headquartered law firm broke its turnover record for a third consecutive year, with a 7% year-on-year increase from £13.4m in 2022/23.

Group turnover, including subsidiary Ledingham Chalmers Financial, was £14.9m, compared with £14.2m in 2022/23.

Pre-tax profit was slightly down on the year before – £3.2m compared with £3.5m – which the firm attributed to continued investment in its workforce, combined with factors affecting all businesses such as higher operating overheads. It said it also reflects early investment in moving to a new office in Ord House, Cradlehall Business Park, Inverness.

In June, the firm announced it had invested a six-figure sum in the new premises in the north of Scotland, following team growth of almost 40% since the start of 2023. The move brought together colleagues from its Church Street and Beechwood Business Park sites in the city. 

In the next phase, all estate agency and conveyancing colleagues in Aberdeen will move back to the Johnstone House premises when the Alford Place lease expires in December.

Jennifer Young stepped down as Ledingham Chalmers managing partner on 1 November, continuing as a partner in the Aberdeen office.

Craig Pike, partner and head of the private client team, has been elected as chair for the next three years.

“Over the last two financial years, we’ve seen record turnover since becoming an LLP along with our highest headcount,” Mr Pike said.

“This growth, combined with a consistently competitive marketplace means the managing partner role has evolved considerably.

“Jennifer was keen to step back into a more client-facing role as a valued partner focusing on her construction law specialism, and an elected management board will now be responsible for the firm’s day-to-day management and driving forward its strategy.”

The new management board comprises Inverness-based partners JP Campbell and Victoria Leslie, together with Aberdeen-based partner Peter Murray. All three will serve for an initial 18 months alongside the firm’s chief operating officer, Chris Mackenzie.

Mr Pike will work closely with the management board and lead all partner meetings.

Since January 2024, 26 people have joined the firm’s offices aross Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Inverness and Stirling. The firm’s headcount as of 31 October was 194 including 22 partners.

Mr Pike added: “This change in leadership structure, as well as our continued investment in our talented colleagues – and the environments in which they work – represents our commitment to growth.

“I do also want to say something specifically about Jennifer. For 12 years, she’s served as chairman and – more recently – managing partner. It’s important to acknowledge the integral role she’s played in our success over that time, including helping steer the firm through a global pandemic as well as a period of growth with record turnover as an LLP.”

Mrs Young, a Law Society of Scotland-accredited construction law specialist, said: “Being a partner in a firm with the reputation Ledingham Chalmers has is an honour, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far.

“As I transition back to client-facing work, I’ll be doing whatever I can too to support the management board – and the firm as a whole – in terms of our sustainable growth aspirations.”